Blindsight (Watts Novel)

Blindsight is a science fiction novel by Peter Watts, published in 2006. The story takes place in a future where humanity has made contact with an alien species known as the 'Wang'an' or 'aliens'. The aliens are not visible to humans due to a phenomenon known as 'invisibility' that affects most of humanity. The protagonist, a man named Chris Faulkner, is infected with a nanotech virus that allows him to perceive the world in a way that is more similar to the aliens, giving him 'blindsight'. Chris, along with a team of scientists, must navigate the complex social dynamics of the alien species and their mysterious motivations. The novel explores themes of perception, consciousness, and the nature of intelligence. Watts draws inspiration from his own experiences in marine biology and his concerns about the impact of human activities on the environment.